Homophobia and transphobia are defined as a
range of negative attitudes and feelings towards homosexuality and
transgenderism. These phobias also affect people who are identified as or
perceived as being homosexual and transgender, respectively. These negative
attitudes may include antipathy, contempt, prejudice, aversion, and irrational
fear of homosexuals and/or transgender people. Being a minority population,
some members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ)
community in Singapore may have experienced homophobia or transphobia intheir
lives.

Oogachaga
Counselling and Support (Oogachaga) is Singapore's only community-based
organisation providing counselling and support for the LGBTQ community.

In March 2012, Oogachaga conducted it first
survey on homophobia and transphobia, titled “Impact of Homophobia and Transphobia
on the LGBTQ individuals in Singapore”. It is also the first Singapore-based
survey that is conducted to understand the possible relations between
homophobic and transphobic experiences, and behavioural issues and suicidal
ideations in the LGBTQ community.

We are
pleased to release the summary report of this survey on 17 May 2012, which is
the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

Key
findings

The survey received overwhelming response from
the community with more than 450 completed responses.

The survey
presented the following key findings:

a. 60.2% of the respondents indicated they have had
experiences with sexual orientation and/or gender identity-based abuse and
discrimination. Transgender females have the highest incidence rate (94.4%),
followed by males (62.5%);

b. The most common forms of abuse or
discrimination faced by LGBTQ individuals are homophobic jokes and being called
by derogatory names;

c. Most respondents have experienced sexual
orientation and/or gender identity-based abuse and discrimination in schools
and from the general heterosexual population;

e. LGBTQ individuals, who have had experiences
with sexual orientation and/or gender identity-based abuse and discrimination,
reported a significantly higher incidence rate of having suicidal thoughts or
attempts.

By
releasing this summary report, Oogachaga wants to raise the awareness among the
following population:

a. LGBTQ community:

Many LGBTQ individuals face homophobic and
transphobic abuse and discrimination from others. It is important that LGBTQ
individuals adopt positive coping strategies while the LGBTQ groups and
individuals work together to reduce the incidence of discrimination.

There are many LGBTQ resources available that
LGBTQ individuals who are struggling with these issues can seek help and
support from.

b. Helping professionals in the social service,
healthcare and mental health care sectors:

The homophobic and transphobic abuse and
discrimination faced by their LGBTQ clients and its direct or indirect
consequences on their clients’ mental well being.

Professionals and volunteers in these sectors
can play a more active role in reducing the incidence of discrimination and in
supporting their LGBTQ clients and patients.

c. Professionals in the education sector:

Homophobic and transphobic abuse and
discrimination are pressing issues faced by LGBTQ students.

Educators, supporting staff and students can
play a more active role in addressing these discrimination in schools and in supporting
their LGBTQ students and classmates.

We acknowledge that given the nature of the
online survey, the findings from this survey may not be representative of the
whole LGBTQ community nor has it covered all aspects of homophobic and
transphobic situations in Singapore. We will plan to conduct a more comprehensive
study in this area.